AAAS CASE Workshop 2026: Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering

UVA students in front of Capitol Hill during a congressional visit.

 

This April, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) will be hosting its Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) workshop in person in the Washington, DC, area at the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda, MD.

Created by a coalition of scientific and engineering societies, universities, and academic organizations, the CASE workshop presents an exciting opportunity for graduate students in science, mathematics, and engineering disciplines to learn about government, science policy, and advocacy. The University of Virginia (UVA) intends to send a small cohort of graduate students to this entry-level workshop. An internal review process will select the University’s participants.  

Selected UVA students will participate in the 3.5-day program in Washington, DC, to be held April 12-15, 2026. During the workshop, participants will learn about the structure and organization of Congress, the federal budget and appropriations process, and tools for effective science communication and civic engagement. In addition, students will participate in interactive seminars about policy making and communication, and participate in Congressional visits on Capitol Hill on the final day of the workshop – Wednesday, April 15. The registration fees and related travel expenses will be covered through the PhD Plus program.

Scroll down for more information on eligibility, required application materials, deadlines, and more. 

"The research we do as graduate students is inextricably linked with the broader community and government and I think it's really fulfilling to know what we do makes an impact—CASE is a means to be engaged and help figure out what we can do on our end."
2024 Participant
"Participating in the CASE Workshop allowed me to further explore my interest in science policy and confirm that it is something I want to pursue as a career."
2025 Participant
"The CASE Workshop not only highlighted careers that would allow me to do science through an advocacy-informative lens of research, but it also opened my eyes to the immense world of science-academia-govt. relationships that exist."
2024 Participant
"One of the most important things I took away was the significance of framing research and science in a way that clearly demonstrates how what we do promotes American innovation, national security, and competitiveness."
2025 Participant

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: 

  • Students must be enrolled full-time in a graduate degree program at UVA in one of the following fields during the Spring semester of 2026:
    • Biological, physical or earth sciences
    • Computational sciences and mathematics
    • Engineering disciplines
    • Medical and health sciences
    • Social and behavioral sciences
  • Foreign nationals and permanent residents are eligible to participate.
  • Students who were selected and attended past CASE workshops under UVA's sponsorship are not eligible to reapply.  
  • Students who applied in the past, but were not selected to attend the workshop are welcome to re-apply.

 

APPLICATION MATERIALS:  

Applicants must compile and submit the following materials. 

  • Eligibility acknowledgement

  • Brief summary (250 words) of past science policy experience

    • The workshop is catered to graduate students with limited experience or knowledge of science policy and advocacy, and those who are interested in learning more about science policy.
    • Please briefly summarize (less than 250 words) any prior professional experience or participation in science policy professional development opportunities (i.e., internships, workshops, bootcamps, seminars, panel discussions), such as those offered through PhD Plus, the Science Policy Initiative at UVA, and/or the Virginia Scientist-Community Interface, including the UVA Policy Bootcamp.
    • Prior experience is not a prerequisite for selection and students with no experience are encouraged to apply.

  • A one-page statement of interest (written by the student) that highlights and affirms:

    • Your interest in the topic of science policy and the potential impact of the CASE Workshop on your current academic program and/or future career goals.
      • This may include building upon knowledge gained through courses, professional development programs, etc., or other motivation to gain insight and new perspectives related to science policy and advocacy.
      • The past experiences do not need to be specific to policy, and prior science policy experience is not a prerequisite for selection.
    • The applicant has no other prior commitments that will prevent them from attending and that they are available to attend the entire duration of the program, which will be held in person in the Washington, D.C., area on April 12-15, 2025. (1-2 sentences at the end of the statement). 

  • A one-page personal vitae or résumé

  • An acknowledgement of support form 

    • Must be signed by either the faculty mentor or the department's Director of Graduate Studies
    • Click here to download the template 

 

The application portal is now open (link below) and will now close on February 13.

 

AAAS CASE Workshop Website
UVA Academic Works - Application Portal

DEADLINE EXTENDED:  

Application materials must be submitted no later than Friday, February 13, 2026.  Applicants will be notified no later than Friday, February 20, 2026.  

 

CONTACTS:

Samuel Lake, 434.924.3164, [email protected]

Phil Trella, 434.243.2018, [email protected]

 

Core Module
Science Policy
Communicating Research
Sub Category
Experience
Skills Series